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Milan F. Smith and Ralph Morgan's Service Station
South side of West B St (Hwy 30) and West of 5th St.


This photo of Rainier looking east was taken in about 1935. Milan F. Smith's service station, that he opened in 1930, can be seen in the middle of the photograph in the distance and the house where he and his family lived was in the next building to the east. The house on the left is where Florence and Noah Ferran lived. Photo image donated by Linda (Lepin) Windsor.

The Richfield Station was located on the South side of West B St (Hwy 30) and West of 5th St. The image shown is looking south (from Google Maps March 28, 2015). Historical note: at the corner of where Morgan had his service station, at the junction of West 5th St. and Hwy 30, it has been said to be the approximate location of William Riley Strong's grave. He was Rainier's first school master who had passed away in 1858.
Milan F. Smith came to Rainier from Portland in 1923 with his wife Rosabelle and daughters Cora and Alice. He operated the Columbia Garage before opening his own service station on October 1, 1930 located on the South side of West B Street (Hwy 30) and west of W 5th St. Their home was east of (across W 5th St.) from the station that still stands as of April 2020. Per an early advertisement he sold Gilmore Blue Green Gasoline. Smith's daughter Alice married Ralph Morgan on Sept. 12, 1942 and Ralph went to work with his father-in-law on July 1, 1946. Ralph took over operation of the station on July 1, 1951 and Milan retired in 1952. In February 1955 Ralph Morgan razed the station that Smith had opened and built a new station that was located just west and back of the old one. Milan passed away on May 18, 1958. In September 1960 Jerry Wright leased Ralph Morgan's service station for a five-year period. Expensive remodeling had been done and a change was made to Richfield products. Mr. Morgan decided, because of his health, that he needed to take a rest. In the May 1969 Warren Smallwood, a Richfield distributor for Columbia County, took over the property under lease from Ralph Morgan. Morgan's health made the transfer imperative. Ray Stanberry of St. Helens managed the station temporarily for Smallwood. In 1970, Ralph Morgan, who originated the name "Rainier Daze" was chosen to be Grand Marshal of the Rainier Daze parade. Ralph Morgan passed away in 1987. As of April 2020, Rainer Auto & Truck occupies the site of Morgan's service station.

Jim Morgan, Ralph's son, commented in January 2021 when asked when the station was sold; I believe dad sold the station in 1970 or 1971. It was sold to Vern Duval who had a body shop there. Prior to selling it he had leased it to Vince Geruassio.
Image
Description
September 1930 - Milan F. Smith begins work on a new service station

In the September 26, 1930 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review it reported that Milan F. Smith would start work on a new service station on his property at West Fifth street on the highway. It would be in operation within the next week or so.
December 1930 - Milan F. Smith advertisement

"M. F. SERVICE STATION, Gilmore Blue Green Gasoline" ad, from the December 25, 1930 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1931 - Milan F. Smith's daughter Alice

Alice Smith, daughter of Milan F. and Roseabelle Smith married Ralph Morgan on September 12, 1942. She taught at Prescott School in Prescott, Ore., from 1937 to 1941, at Rainier Union High School from 1942 to 1947 and at Rainier Elementary School from 1962 to 1987. Alice and Ralph had two children, Jim and Kay. Photo from the 1931 Rainier Union High School yearbook.
1944 - Mrs. Alice Smith Morgan, High School Teacher

Photo of Mrs. Alice Morgan from the 1944 Rainier Union High School yearbook. She taught Social Studies.
1997 - Grand Marshal Alice Morgan

Alice Morgan was Grand Marshall along with Roland Curteman during the 1997 Rainier, Oregon's "Day In The Park" celebration.
1955 - Ralph Morgan razes Smith station, builds new one

Ralph Morgan announced plans to raze the old structure opened by M. F. Smith and build a new station. From the February 3, 1955 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1956 - Hudson Dealer

Ralph Morgan Advertisement offering new 1956 Hudson models; the Rambler and Hornet. From the Janaury 12, 1956 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1958 - Milan F. Smith passes away

Milan F. Smith passed away on May 18, 1958. From the May 22, 1958 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1960 - Marina gas Station Greets Visiting Boats

Ralph Morgan and Wellington McCollam installed a gas pump at the Rainier Marina in April 1960. From the April 7, 1960 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1960 - Ralph Morgan leases service station to Jerry Wright

Ralph Morgan leased his service station to Jerry Wright for a five-year period in September 1960. Extensive remodeling had been done at the station and a change was made to Richfield products. Mr. Morgan decided, because of his health, that he needed to take a rest. From the September 8, 1960 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1960 - Jerry's Richfield Service Advertisement

Advertisement for Jerry's Richfield Service. From the December 22, 1960 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1968 - Morgan's Richfield Service Advertisement

Advertisement for Morgan's Richfield Service. From the December 26, 1968 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1969 - Ralph Morgan leases service station to Warren Smallwood

Warren Smallwood, a Richfield distributor for Columbia County, took over the property under lease from Ralph Morgan. Morgan's health made the transfer imperative. Ray Stanberry of St. Helens managed the station temporarily for Smallwood. Mr. Morgan owned the property at the station and had an operating arrangement with Richfield. From the May 22, 1969 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1970 - Ralph Morgan, Grand Marshal of Rainier Daze Parade

Ralph Morgan, who originated the name "Rainier Daze" was selected to be Grand Marshal of the 1970 Rainier Daze parade on July 18. Capt. J. C. Galloway, retired Columbia River pilot, was chosen as Honorary Marshal. From the July 16, 1970 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review

Related Stories:

In October 1963, while Kenneth Vance was excavating for a new basement for Hans Hovland, he uncovered three wooden coffins with human remains. The land where the coffins had been found once belonged to Ralph Morgan's father James Montgomery Morgan who had passed away in 1933. It is believed that there was once a potter's field there that had long been forgotten. Click here for the article "Old Graveyard Sparks Interest At Site of Basement Excavation" written by Eleanor Abraham.

Memories:

        Margaret Barton-Ross (Facebook, March 2015): As Alice Morgn told me, she and Ralph grew up next door to one another. She was Alice Smith before marrying Ralph. Mrs Smith lived in the first house to the east across the street from the service station - Morgan's Richfield.

        Bill Harrison (email Janaury 2021): My personal memories are of stopping at the service station on the way home from grade school on cold rainy evenings, to warm up a little before trudging up the hill. "M.F." was always a little grumpy, but Ralph was always nice. Also remember the pomegranate tree in the front yard of Ralph and Alice's home. Probably the only pomegranate tree in Columbia County. As an aside, Ralph was a secondary dealer for Hudson, in Rainier, and had the only 1950 Hudson Hornet Hollywood hardtop (see the movie "CARS") in northern Oregon.

Click on Links for additional information:

        Milan F Smith

        J Ralph Morgan

        Alice Irene Smith Morgan

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